U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday as a report pointing to stronger business spending boosted shares of blue-chip computer firms and heavy equipment makers, overshadowing the latest signs of turmoil in the financial sector.

Shares of Polo Ralph Lauren rose more than 7 percent to $66.55 on Wednesday before the opening bell after the company reported a higher quarterly profit, helped by strong sales, a lower tax rate and acquisitions.

By Jonathan Cohen NEW YORK (Billboard) - Country music star Dolly Parton has hit back against Howard Stern's satellite radio show, which last week manipulated recordings from one of her audio books into seemingly racist and sexually graphic sound bites.

Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda are back -- The "Sex and the City" TV stars took to the big screen on Monday with the world premiere in London of their tales of love and high fashion in New York.

Sipping on a cosmopolitan in the Meatpacking district, tripping through the streets laden with boxes from Soho boutiques: New York is as much the star of "Sex and the City" as its actresses, offering the chance to live just like Carrie and her pals.

"Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus took a drubbing on Monday in the media and from some parents of her young fans who were angry over sexually provocative pictures of the 15-year-old superstar despite her apology one day earlier.

Using powerful radio telescopes, scientists have captured a supermassive black hole just as it was belching out a jet of supercharged particles, offering a first look at how these cosmic jets are formed, they said on Wednesday.